did I set up the new trailer right?

[stackz]

old trailer rotted apart where the tongue joins the rest of the trailer.

came across a good used galvanized trailer for $300. I replaced the bunks with new ones and rewired as well.

it was setup for what I think was a jon boat though. when I put it on the bunks, they were sitting up against the chines. in the old trailer you could see the bunks were outside of the chines in question.
old:

new:

yesterday I lifted the boat up off the trailer 3" straight up and loosened/adjusted the bunks. I moved them outward past the bunks to about 1.5"~2" outside of them and held the angle as my friend lowered the boat back down. all looked good so I tightened everything up. I just want to make sure this is good? I made it a little loose to help guide the boat easier with some leeway on both sides. I'm wondering if I need a roller like shown on the keel of my old trailer as the two bunks are the ONLY thing supporting the boat now.

oh yeah, sorry the pics are blue, I forgot my phone camera was on the blue tint setting yesterday.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

Looks real good to me.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

Yep, looks good.
You might want to add another pad to the top center of the axle which looks like the same height as the crossmember.
Although that will change for the better when your loading the boat.
Maybe adjust your bow stop/roller down to the bow eye.

Oh, and relocate that logo in the last picture as it is now obscured by those u-bolts, snicker, snicker.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

Looks to me like a great fit and a fantastic find for what you paid for it.

 

[stackz]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

thanks guys. so I dont need a keel roller? I keep hearing people say you need a keel roller to take stress off the bunks?

also, when adjusting the trailer I realized my old winch is getting severely dry rotted on the strap. I'm thinking of either buying a new strap for it, or depending on what shape the mechanism is in, I might just buy a whole new winch since they are $24 or less.

which would you go with 600lb versus 1000lb and strap versus cable?

I'm thinking the strap and 1000lb unit will be fine compared to a cable as the cable is likely not stainless and will rust a lot worse than the strap will.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

What is the capacity of the winch on it now? Personally I would be looking for a 1400# winch which isn't much more expensive. Nothing worse than fighting with a weak winch. I perfer straps over cable.

Bunks and rollers is the great debate here and will find arguments from both sides as to which is correct. Personally I'm old school having grown up in a time when almost all pleasure boats were constructed of wood and all trailers had keel rollers. I have stated in many posts that I still believe in keel rollers over just bunks. Though do also believe that bunks if done correctly and with enough to support the weight will support a hull just as well.

I am against bunk trailers just because of the fact that one has to submerge the trailer to much in order to launch and retrieve a boat. And also incourages power loading which in my opinion damages to many ramps. If I was using it in salt water I wouldn't want to be dunking my trailer 2 or 3 times every week throughout the season.

I am also currantly using a full roller trailer and I only need to back in as far as just getting the axle wet and encounter no trouble launching or retrieving my boat and while it is on the trailer I feel it is well supported as set up right now.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

What is the capacity of the winch on it now? Personally I would be looking for a 1400# winch which isn't much more expensive. Nothing worse than fighting with a weak winch. I prefer straps over cable.

Agree completely.

I don't think you NEED keel rollers unless you find you have centering issues. Try it an see I guess. I have them on mine http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2352.jpg

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

You set up the new trailer perfectly. Also, if you have some extra $$ you want to blow, go ahead and get a new winch that has a higher winching capability. If not, then just buy a new strap (that's what I'd do).

It's nice to see someone that is actually using their head on these boards...

 

[stackz]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

how do I tell what capacity the winch is? will it be imprinted on the side or something? all I know is it looks to be about as physically big as the 1000-lb capacity winches at northern tool

 

[ezmobee]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

all I know is it looks to be about as physically big as the 1000-lb capacity winches at northern tool

that's probably about all you can do.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: did I set up the new trailer right?

Most I have seen have the info stamped into the side of the spool. Physical size is pretty much the same for all up to 1600#. Difference comes in the gauge of steel used, gears and gear ratio from what I've seen.